Hassett says Fed made 'prudent call,' signaling White House OK with quarter-point cut

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's decision to cut its key borrowing rate by a quarter percentage point is viewed positively by the White House, indicating a cautious approach to monetary policy [1][2]. Group 1: Federal Reserve's Rate Decision - National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett mentioned that the administration and new Fed Governor Stephen Miran advocated for a larger reduction, specifically a half-point cut, but the Federal Open Market Committee voted 11 to 1 against it [2]. - Hassett expressed that a 25 basis point cut was a broad consensus and a good initial step towards lower rates, despite Miran's preference for a more aggressive approach [3]. - President Trump has previously criticized the Fed and suggested that the benchmark federal funds rate should be 3 percentage points lower than current levels, which is not aligned with the FOMC's future policy projections [4]. Group 2: Economic Context - Despite strong economic growth above 3% in the third quarter, which typically would not support lower interest rates, Trump argues that cuts are necessary to aid the struggling U.S. housing market and manage financing costs for the nation's $37 trillion debt [5]. - Hassett emphasized the importance of assessing economic variables and making incremental reductions, suggesting that the Fed's cautious approach is appropriate given the current economic conditions [6]. - The Fed's decision reflects a balance between various economic models and opinions, with Hassett describing it as a prudent call in light of decelerating inflation that remains above the target [7].